I love the stories in the Gospels that describe the people Jesus stopped to touch. I don’t believe that most of us would have stopped to see the people that Jesus did. I have known some people who were considered important by others, and I have always felt unworthy to take up their time even for a little bit. I honestly feel this way when I need to talk to my own Pastor. I know he is extremely busy, and that many people want his attention. I always feel honored to get a few minutes to share my heart with him.
In Mark 5 there is a story of a man who had been possessed with a legion of demons that met Jesus as He got out of a boat in the country of the Gadarenes. Jesus not only spent time with him alone, but cast those demons into a herd of pigs that ran over a cliff. This man wanted to go with Jesus when He prepared to leave. “Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, ‘Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee’” (Mark 5:19).
There should be a change that Jesus Christ makes in us from what we were before we met Him, to what we are becoming as a result of meeting Him. When Jesus enters your life, there is a transformation that begins to take place. This transformation is not something that begins externally and moves internally. This transformation begins in our heart, and eventually shows itself in the things we do; the places we go; the language we use (or don’t use); the things we do with our time and money; and even in our personal relationship with others.
Jesus told this man to go home … to his friends to show them the changes that had come to him. This man wanted to go with Jesus. We can all understand that desire. Jesus knew that this man would be a more powerful testimony before those who had known him before he met Jesus. The changed life that should come after our salvation is the strongest testimony we have. Show that change to others today!
Verse 1: My life, my love I give to Thee, Thou Lamb of God Who died for me; O may I ever faithful be, My Savior and my God!
Verse 2: I now believe Thou dost receive, for Thou hast died that I might live; and now henceforth I trust in Thee, My Savior and my God!
Verse 3: O Thou Who died on Calvary to save my soul and make me free, I’ll consecrate my life to Thee, My Savior and my God!
Chorus: I’ll live for Him Who died for me, how happy then my life shall be! I’ll live for Him Who died for me, My Savior and my God!